California
Sightseeing & Excursions
Anaheim - Disneyland Area
Southern California Gray Line: Southern California's largest operator of sightseeing tours and scheduled transportation - Southern California Gray Lines offers a wide choice of excursions. Avoid the hassle of driving and parking and let Gray Line's experienced drivers get you to your destination. Just America is pleased to offer the full range of Southern California Gray Line's tours including trips to Knotts' Berry Farm, Legoland, Citadel Outlet Shops, Tijuana, San Diego Zoo and much more - prices and details on request - but here's a small sample of the tours we can offer.
Universal Studios (No. 2): Visit Universal Studios Hollywood - reinvented for the 21st century. Gray Line's tours depart Anaheim at 09.15 and whisk you across Los Angeles and into the Hollywood Hills to one of the world's best theme parks and most famous movie studios. Early AM departure. Duration approx. 11 hours. Prices £50 per adult / £45 per child (3-7 years inclusive).
Universal Studios Hollywood Plus Front of Line (2FOL): All that the Universal Studios Hollywood tour has to offer PLUS no waiting in line!! £89 per person (no child prices)
Universal Studios Combo Deluxe plus Front of Line (No.4) Experience the highlights of Los Angeles before visiting Hollywood's largest working Studio. You'll visit Farmer's Market, and The Grove, offering the finest and most unique options for shopping and dining. Next, you'll tour through Hollywood and Beverly Hills as you make your way to Universal Studios stopping at Mann's Chinese Theatre and Hollywood Boulevard. Duration approx. 13 hours. Price £95 per person.
SeaWorld San Diego (No.5) Touch a world that touches you at SeaWorld San Diego. Where else can you feed a dolphin, come face-to-face with a polar bear and count the teeth on a shark? Get taken to a faraway place before plunging through a watery adventure on a 'Journey to Atlantis'. And try to stay dry when world-famous Shamu comes a-splashing! There's something new on the horizon at SeaWorld: Blue Horizons a breakthrough theatrical spectacular featuring energetic bottlenose dolphins, a colorful array of exotic birds and amazing acrobatic performers - is scheduled to open in May 2010. Duration approx.11 hours. Prices £39 per adult / £33 per child (3-9 years inclusive).
Los Angeles Hollywood Experience (No.8) Experience the highlights of Los Angeles during this one-of-a-kind tour! View the city's most fascinating and historical landmarks while taking in the locations of some of your favourite TV shows and movies. Walk in the footsteps of some of Hollywood's most renowned celebrities at Mann's Chinese Theatre and Hollywood Boulevard. Explore trendy Venice Beach and Santa Monica. Tour also includes: Beverly Hills, Sunset Strip, Hard Rock Cafe and Rodeo Drive. Duration approx.10 hours. Prices £37 per adult / £30 per child (3-11 years).
Los Angeles
CitySights LA: A great way to explore and enjoy Los Angeles with a series of intersecting transportation loops and a hop-on/hop-off double-decker service.
Hollywood Loop: Welcome to the Entertainment Capital of the World where the stars walk the streets! Walk alongside their handprints at Grauman's Chinese Theatre. After browsing the designer shops and boutiques with the Beverly Hills residents, pose for a glamour shot in front of the fountain in the center of Rodeo Drive. Shop at the outdoor mall - The Grove - and pick up the latest couture from your favourite store. Picture yourself in the middle of a shoot for your debut movie as you pass Paramount Pictures - home of the oldest existing film studio. Catch a glimpse of the famous sign on the mountain reminding you that you're in Hollywood! This loop tour includes views of Grauman's Chinese Theatre, Hollywood & Vine, Sunset Strip, Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, LA Tar Pits, The Grove, Melrose, Paramount Studio, Miracle Mile, the Farmer's Market and more.
Beach Loop: Smell the salty sea breeze and feel the Pacific wind in your hair on the Beach Loop. Wander the boardwalk of Venice Beach and observe the obscure street performers, artists, fortune-tellers and musicians. Join the sun-kissed surfers and models and head toward the water and checkout the 100-year old Santa Monica Pier and its amusement park. Visit the campus of UCLA - Alma Mater to 14 Nobel Peace Prize winners. See where the red carpet rolls out for hundreds of movie premiers a year as you cruise past Westwood. Grab a bite to eat and shop at the laid-back boutiques of the Third Street Promenade. Views of Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach, Muscle Beach, Westwood, UCLA, Bel Air, Third Street Promenade and more!
Movie Stars Home Loop (not hop-on/hop-off): Cruise down the exclusive residential streets of your favourite TV and movie stars' elaborate estates. Feel the breeze blow through your hair, in true Cali style, as you ride through Beverly Hills in an open-top van. Peek through the gates of Bel Air and catch a glimpse of how the other half lives. Your guide will tell you all about the palace prices and amenities, plus dish out the latest gossip.
All Loops Tour - valid for 48 hours from the time the ticket is first used. Prices £40.00 per adult / £33.00 per child (3-11 years).
All Loops Tour - valid for 48 hours from the time the ticket is first used and including Universal Studios Hollywood® 1-day admission. Prices £89.00 per adult / £79.00 per child (3-11 years).
San Francisco and Northern California
Open Top Double-Decker Sightseeing: Enjoy an open-top double-decker bus tour and hop on and hop off at any of the 20 stops throughout the city. This is a great way to see the city, enjoy the views and learn about the city’s fascinating history and culture. Stops including the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf and Union Square. Adults £23.00 Children 4-15 yrs £11.00. Under 4 yrs-free. Ticket valid for 2 days.
Gray Line San Francisco: San Francisco's No.1 sightseeing and excursion company - Gray Line of San Francisco offers a wide range of tours including day trips to Yosemite National Park, Monterey/Carmel, and much more. Just America can offer the full range of Gray Line's tours - details and prices on request - but here's a small sample of what's on offer.
Monterey & Carmel. This tour shows California's rugged Central Coast, a view that will both humble and inspire you. Starting the Monterey portion of the tour, you will travel south via Highway 1 through Santa Cruz offering a spectacular view of the coast. Scheduled stops include Steinbeck's "Cannery Row" in Monterey; vista points along the 17-mile Drive and the stores and restaurants of Carmel. You'll visit the one-square mile city of Carmel, located on the Bay of Carmel above a white-sand beach and offering a picturesque and beautiful memory of the last portion of the tour. The trip back to San Francisco will take you through Silicon Valley. Duration approx. 11 hours. Prices £45 per adult / £32 per child (5-11 years inclusive).
California Parlor Car Tours - Northern California. Since 1924 California Parlor Car Tours has operated quality motor coach tours where driving is best left to locals who know and connecting with trains in scenic areas. Carefully planned itineraries, well chosen meal stops, essential sightseeing, tours, admissions and rooms at better class hotels are taken care of for you.
Yosemite National Park 2-days/1 night from San Francisco.
Yosemite Valley is located about 215 miles south east of San Francisco. Visitors should spend at least one night in order to see the incredible sights in and around the Yosemite Valley. It is possible to stay right INSIDE Yosemite Valley at: CAMP CURRY CABINS, YOSEMITE LODGE or THE AHWAHNEE HOTEL.
2 day or 3 day packages include: Transportation, Park entrance fee, room including tax at Curry Village Cabins or Yosemite Lodge or the Ahwahnee Hotel and Glacier Point tour from late May to October, Valley Floor Tours from November to early May.
Day 1: Pick up from any downtown hotel in central San Francisco area between 6:15 and 6:45. Direct motor coach leaves San Francisco around 7:00 going through Livermore Valley and over Altamont Pass. With a short stop en route, arrival at Yosemite Park Big Oak Flat entrance is at about 12:00. Dropping in to Yosemite Valley you see magnificent sights. Driving along south side of Merced River you see the The Half Dome and waterfalls during winter, spring and summer months. The tour drop off at Yosemite Lodge is at about 1:45. If you are staying at Curry Village or The Ahwahnee Hotel the shuttle takes you there. Check in is at about 4:00 so they store your luggage and you have time to take the free shuttle in the valley and get familiar with the area.
Day 2: you have reservations to take the Glacier Point Tour leaving Yosemite Lodge at 8:30 a.m. This takes about four hours and goes up to about 8,000 feet in elevation. When that tour is not operating or if the elevation bothers you the alternate is the 2-hour Yosemite Valley tour. If you stay two nights you can take the 8-hour Grand Tour (instead of Glacier Point) that includes Mariposa Grove of Big Trees and Glacier Point at an additional cost of about $41 (Please change your reservations at the Yosemite Lodge Tour desk on the day of arrival.) The return trip (Day 2 or 3) starts with pick up at Yosemite Lodge at 3:30. A brief stop is made at about 6:00. Coming over the Altamont Pass we drive through Livermore Valley arriving San Francisco by 8:30. You are dropped off at the hotels from where you were picked up. There can be traffic delays or late departure - please do not expect to catch a flight at night. If you are going on to San Francisco International Airport it is best to take a shuttle or taxi from the first stop.
Package tours staying at Yosemite Lodge or The Ahwahnee Hotel are available all year. Camp Curry Cabins are available up to October 30. April 1 to October 31 round trip transportation is provided daily. November to March we operate the coach daily except Monday and Friday. Rates per person include round trip transportation, park entrance fee, room with tax, baggage handling and Glacier Point or Yosemite Valley Floor tours.
Camp Curry Cabins are like modest motel rooms with private bath and outdoor patios. Above you are Half Dome and Glacier Point in the heart of Yosemite Valley. A delightful place to stay.
Yosemite Lodge Located near the Yosemite Falls there are several two-story buildings amidst the sugar pine and redwood trees surrounding a central core that has a cafeteria, a food court and Mountain Room restaurant. Air conditioning and TV have not yet invaded these nicely appointed rooms each with two beds, bathroom, balcony or patio. There is a well-stocked gift shop and store, a large swimming pool and a post office on the grounds.
The Ahwahnee is a world-class hotel built in 1927 and kept in an excellent condition. Dinner at The Ahwahnee Dining Room will be in your memory for ever. All rooms have air conditioning and TV. Some rooms are available with king size beds.
California Parlor Car Tours - booking conditions and information.
Prices: (per person in £'s)
Camp Curry 1 night. £245 single / £182 double / £165 triple / £71 child.
Camp Curry 2 nights: £369 single / £243 double / £202 triple / £71 child
Yosemite Lodge 1 night: £309 single / £213 double / £186 triple / £71 child.
Yosemite Lodge 2 nights: £496 single / £309 double / £252 triple / £71 child.
Ahwahnee Lodge 1 night: £547 single / £335 double / £269 triple / £71 child.
Ahwahnee Lodge 2 nights: £939 single / £532 double / £403 triple / £71 child.
California Pacific
3-days/2-nights San Francisco to Los Angeles
San Francisco to Monterey by Motor Coach. Monterey to Paso Robles, Los Angeles by Amtrak.
Tour includes :
Day 1: San Francisco to Monterey 154 miles. Pick up from most hotels in San Francisco starting 8:15 a.m. Departure by 9:00 a.m. Driving along San Andreas Fault turn west to Half Moon Bay and then south on the Pacific Coast Highway One to Santa Cruz with beautiful views of the ocean. Reaching Monterey by mid day, after a short tour stop at The Cannery Row allowing time for lunch or optional visit to Aquarium. Seaside gardens of Pacific Grove to 17 Mile Drive see the ocean crash on shore and mansions and golf courses. Stop at Pebble Beach. Continue to Carmel by the Sea the idyllic village with its art galleries and cottages set in Pine trees. Arrive at your hotel by 5:30.*Bay Park Hotel, Monterey. Dinner & Breakfast
Day 2: Monterey to Paso Robles. 98 miles. After a relaxing morning, at 10:45 AMTRAK 
Thruway motor coach transfers you via to Salinas Train Station. AMTRAK Train # 11 leaves at 11:48, just in time for lunch going through Salinas Valley, center of Monterey County’s agricultural region by the river and small towns, fields of lettuce, broccoli and acres of green houses. Around King City we see miles of newly planted vineyards where just a few years ago there was only cattle pasture. The oil fields appear and then the military installations at Camp Roberts. Passing Mission San Miguel we reach Paso Robles at 1:38. We are met by The Wine Wrangler for a short tour of this interesting quintessential small town and a winery visit with tasting.*Paso Robles Inn or similar hotel.
Day 3: Paso Robles to Hearst Castle and Los Angeles. 110 miles tour and 258 miles train. The Wine Wrangler (tour company) takes you about 45 minutes west to the coast and then on Highway One to San Simeon. *Tour No. 1 of Hearst Castle built by Julia Morgan during the 1920s and 1930s for the art collection of world famous newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst. This 2 hour tour is ideal for first time visitors with an easy walk, a 
total of about 150 steps. Enjoy a picnic lunch 
and stop for shopping or visit a winery. Continue to San Luis Obispo. Board The Coast Starlight at 3:20. Through Pismo Beach via Vandenberg Space station near Gaviota see some of the most scenic ocean views all the way through Santa Barbara to Oxnard. Turning inland around six the train goes past miles of orange groves then through Fillmore and Simi Valley to Glendale. At about 9:00 we arrive in the heart of the great metropolis of Los Angeles at the Union Station that you may recognize from many Hollywood films. Taxicabs to downtown locations cost about $20, twice as much to Hollywood, West Los Angeles, and Beverly Hills. To the Los Angeles International Airport Fly Away bus leaves every half hour, takes about 45 minutes cost only $3. Going further south Surfliner 596 reaches Anaheim at 10:51, San Juan Capistrano at 11:25 and San Diego after midnight at 12:50 a.m. We can book rooms for you at:
*The Kyoto Grand Hotel & Gardens, Los Angeles
* Renaissance Montura Hotel - L.A. Airport. (Close to various rental car locations)
* Anaheim Clarion Hotel - Main gate.
* Handlery Hotel and Resort - San Diego.
Dinner on the first night and breakfast on the second day are included. All other meals are on your own at the hotels and restaurants, light or full as you choose. There's plenty of free time in Monterey. You can walk, hike, ride a bike, play golf, discover places, visit museums, the Mission, or jus relax. THIS combination of tours, transfers, hotels etc. is for independent travelers who can understand and accept minor delays and changes that are inevitable.
California Parlor Car Tours - booking conditions and information.
Prices in £'s per person.